Stephenson Harwood boosts trainee lawyer pay as it becomes latest firm to allow working from home

Stephenson Harwood has chucked modest pay increases at its trainees and junior lawyers, as it becomes the latest City outfit to implement a ‘home-desking’ policy.

The firm, which offers 18 training contract positions annually, has upped first year trainee pay from £38,500 to £40,000 (4%), while those a year ahead will now receive £44,000 rather than £42,500 (4%). Wedge for newly qualified (NQ) lawyers has been nudged 2% from £65,000 to £66,000.

Stephenson Harwood confirmed to Legal Cheek that trainee pay rises are effective from September, while new NQ salaries were introduced last month.

The pay increases come in the same week Stephenson Harwood officially joined the flexi-working movement.

Following a successful trial last year, the firm has confirmed its London lawyers will now be able to take advantage of a new flexible working initiative, which will allow them to work from home one day per week. Support staff will also be able to work from home, albeit on a reduced offering of one day per fortnight.

However, the scheme will not be open to all. Lawyers “whose physical presence in the office is an integral part of their role” will still be expected to brave the morning rush hour. The outfit has confirmed to Legal Cheek that trainees are not able to take advantage of the policy due to supervision requirements.

We recognise the importance of creating a working environment that encourages individual productivity and operational efficiency. Attracting and retaining the very best talent remains a priority, and implementing this scheme enables us to provide employees with more flexibility without compromising client work.”

The news follows similar policies introduced by a large number of City firms over the past year or so.

28 Comments

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 9:19am

Home-desking aka being allowed to go home for a ready meal dinner before logging back on at home afterwards.

(10)(2)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 10:20am

I’ll always loathe this firm after going there for a training contract interview in 2008 or 2009 and, after obviously having a speech impediment and struggling a bit during the process, was told by one of the people interviewing me that “we couldn’t put you in front of clients”. Classy.

I should have called them up on it or taken it further, but I was just so stunned and it would of course been my word against theirs.

(16)(3)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 10:31am

Who was the interviewer? Was it HR or a partner?

(2)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 10:37am

I believe it was someone who was an ex-partner, but who was then in a HR role.

Probably not an ex-employment lawyer.

(1)(1)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 11:23am

You dick.

(0)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 12:39pm

Top bantz.

(0)(0)

Jones Day (Female) Partner

Aug 2 2017 3:01pm

Quite sure your stutter can be useful somewhere

(3)(2)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 3:24pm

?

(1)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 10:29am

Any news on Freshfields?

(5)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 11:57am

Apparently next year it will increase – fingers crossed

(0)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 1:44pm

A very good source of mine claims they’re going for £100k NQ. Blowing out all MC competition, showing who’s boss.

(12)(4)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 1:50pm

Troll?

(7)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 4:30pm

Nope.

(1)(1)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 10:15pm

Is this actually true?

(0)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 3 2017 12:39pm

No.

(0)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 11:41am

Yes no wage increases as they have to keep PEP high to avoid losing their best partners to US outfits.

(3)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 12:23pm

Even for trainees?

(0)(1)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 1:07pm

Just wait ’till that CMS trainee retention rate is published.

(4)(2)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 1:45pm

>50% is my guess. It’ll be nasty.

(1)(1)

CMS Trainee

Aug 2 2017 2:05pm

Where are you getting this from?

(2)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 3:02pm

Less than 20% – internal sources

(1)(1)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 3:31pm

For those leaving presumably it’s easy enough to get something else.

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 3:46pm

Yep, NQ roles at Irwin Mitchell and DWF are aplenty no doubt. Step right up.

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 3:50pm

Don’t forget about Fieldfisher, they take anyone

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 8:59pm

What about AG?

(1)(0)

Anonymous

Aug 2 2017 9:30pm

You mean the titan among City firms, a top shop everyone wants to bag a TC with, the mighty Saddleshaw Goddard?